Any Sparkies In?

[Rodders_UK]

I have a plastic bath, and the mixer taps are connected via plastic pipes.

The copper pipes below the plastic section of pipe are earth-bonded (to the central heating system). Should I earth the taps???

[MrADeveci]

I wouldn't have thought so , as the plastic is not a conductor .........?

[MacRS200]

In theory yes as the 16th edition of the IEE wiring regs say that any extraneous metal work that could become live must be earth bonded.

In practice I wouldn't bother.

[Rodders_UK]

OK - many thanks

[Bazza]

I wouldn't have thought so , as the plastic is not a conductor .........?

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A+ mr scarface for realising that plastic is not a conductor

D- for not realising that rod may want to run water through said pipework

and unless rod has pure water running through his pipework, i believe water is a fairly good conductor of electrikery :P

In theory yes as the 16th edition of the IEE wiring regs say that any extraneous metal work that could become live must be earth bonded.

In practice I wouldn't bother.

not really ......BS7671(2001) states all extraneous metalwork within a bathroom should be equally potentially bonded, and be connected to a circuit within the bathroom, the potential to become live accounts for everything surely !

[Fargo]

seems that bazza beat me to it scarface... Re water and electrikery

[MacRS200]

[not really ......BS7671(2001) states all extraneous metalwork within a bathroom should be equally potentially bonded, and be connected to a circuit within the bathroom, the potential to become live accounts for everything surely !

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If the water could make the taps live then it will also earth them to the nearest bit of copper pipe, which will be bonded :D

[Fargo]

[not really ......BS7671(2001) states all extraneous metalwork within a bathroom should be equally potentially bonded, and be connected to a circuit within the bathroom, the potential to become live accounts for everything surely !

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If the water could make the taps live then it will also earth them to the nearest bit of copper pipe, which will be bonded :D

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providing that the earth bond is still in place of course...

[Rodders_UK]

[not really ......BS7671(2001) states all extraneous metalwork within a bathroom should be equally potentially bonded, and be connected to a circuit within the bathroom, the potential to become live accounts for everything surely !

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If the water could make the taps live then it will also earth them to the nearest bit of copper pipe, which will be bonded :D

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providing that the earth bond is still in place of course...

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which it is - thanks guys

[lexus boy]

no you dont is the answer

[Bazza]

[not really ......BS7671(2001) states all extraneous metalwork within a bathroom should be equally potentially bonded, and be connected to a circuit within the bathroom, the potential to become live accounts for everything surely !

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If the water could make the taps live then it will also earth them to the nearest bit of copper pipe, which will be bonded :D

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in thoery yes

but it would need to be measured to ensure it would provide a low enough potential for the allow flow of earth current, water is not a great constant in resistive values due to various ingrediants, and should not really be relied on

it wouldnt hurt to stick a few clamps on the taps ...but in reality wouldnt be deemed essential

[Fargo]

[not really ......BS7671(2001) states all extraneous metalwork within a bathroom should be equally potentially bonded, and be connected to a circuit within the bathroom, the potential to become live accounts for everything surely !

←

If the water could make the taps live then it will also earth them to the nearest bit of copper pipe, which will be bonded :D

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providing that the earth bond is still in place of course...

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which it is - thanks guys

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but might not be if a little mouse was to nibble on it etc... better to be safe than sorry...

[MacRS200]

Bottom line is that about the only way the taps could be made live is if you used a hairdrier in the bath

If you do that then you deserve a zap, in fact it is probably better not to have the taps earthed cos if you are mad enough to use stuff like that and touch the tap it will insulate you from a path to earth

[Bazza]

Bottom line is that about the only way the taps could be made live is if you used a hairdrier in the bath

If you do that then you deserve a zap, in fact it is probably better not to have the taps earthed cos if you are mad enough to use stuff like that and touch the tap it will insulate you from a path to earth

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a common method is the use of radio`s !!

the idea of earthing/bonding is to provide a clean and concise earth path to enable the disconnection of the fused protection, the cleaner it is, the faster the circuit will be disconnected, in bathrooms where peoples potential is at its lowest a very quick disconnection time is required, a damp wall will give an earth path but would kill before disconnection could take place, in theory if you could totally insulate the taps they would be safe but in reality as stated, any water in contact would deem them not totally insulated and capable of providing an earth path.

[lexus boy]

enough arguing the issue

there was a question it has been answered, dont try and understand who decides and finding ways in which they are wrong, as there are millions of holes in regs.